Inflation 0.2 per cent in February

According to Statistics Finland, the year-on-year change in consumer prices, i.e. inflation, was the same in February as in January, 0.2 per cent.

Consumer prices were put up most in the year by higher prices of liquid fuels. Rent increases, risen prices of food, especially of vegetables and coffee, also had an impact on inflation. Charges for recreational and cultural services and prices of dwellings also grew from the year before. The rise in consumer prices was curbed most by lower prices of alcoholic beverages. Lower telephone charges, reduced prices of used cars and cuts in interest rates also diminished inflation.

From January to February, consumer prices rose by 0.6 per cent. The rise was mainly due to the reduction in seasonal sales of clothes, but prices of vegetables and liquid fuels also increased.

Each mid-month, Statistics Finland interviewers collect around 50,000 prices on 492 commodities from approximately 3,000 outlets for the Consumer Price Index. In addition, some 1,000 items of price data are gathered by centralised collection.

Year-on-year change in consumer prices 1/2001 - 2/2005

Index point figures available from (only in Finnish): Consumer Price Index 2000=100

Source: Consumer Price Index 2005, February. Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Mr Timo Koskimäki +358 9 1734 3479, Mr Juhani Pekkarinen +358 9 1734 3476, Ms Mari Ylä-Jarkko + 9 1734 3310, khi.tilastokeskus@stat.fi